Fabric cleaning apparatus



July 18, 1939;

R A. HETZER FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l m w v 7 Q 7 I 4 M wwo 7 m m M n 0 0 O INVENTOR RUSSELL A. HETZER ATTORN Y6 July 19; 1939. R, A, TZER 2,166,294

FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 M 'INVENTOR RUSSELL A. HETZER ATTO NEYS July 18, 1939. HETZER 2,166,294

FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1956 5 Shets-Sheet 3 FlG.-3

lNVENTOR RUSSELL A; HETZER FIG-6 ATTORNEYS 1939- R. A. HETZER 2,

FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 7 3 a. Q w R 0 E .Hm R. 0 H d ||.|||IJ\\\ E w m v R m w m 2. eh 5 w m I133 I N d: k. WI. W Wm 4 N. R. N m A N. Wm v S W 8x. km QR n fl Y w I a A l\.. ///r A. J o 3 av w 0 n 1 n u If a t w M o w N Ni w M Q Q Q 2% g 3 w 3 fi Twi v\\ a n a a m 2: E SQ v .v 3 M A IIIILWII /ll) H h \e\\\ k u v-\ 1 July 18, 1939. R. A. HETZER FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR FlG. -5

HETZER RUSSELL A.

,2 A TT RNEYs E Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FABRIC CLEANING APPARATUS Application April 29, 1936, Serial No. 16,930

14 Claims.

My invention relates to fabric cleaning apparatus and more particularly to improved means for controlling the various steps in the operation of the apparatus.

In fabric cleaning apparatus such as that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,074,508, issued March 23, 1937, an apparatus is shown for washing fabric in a volatile solvent, draining the solvent into a sump tank and then drying and deodorizing the fabric.

In the present invention an improved mechanism is provided for controlling the operation of cleaning apparatus during the washing, extracting, drying and unloading operations. It will be understood, however, that I do not desire to limit my improved control mechanism to cleaning apparatus as obviously it may be utilized for other purposes.

In accordance with my invention a central control means is provided, whereby the supply of current to a motor may be out off, or the operation of the motor may be regulated to provide a reverse or unidirectional operation of a shaft, which in cleaning apparatus is affixed to a rotatable drum containing the fabric being treated. I also provide signalling means for indicating the end of the drying operation, whereby valves in a drying circuit may be manually or automatically operated and the fabric thoroughly deodorized before it is removed from the treating vessel.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an improved mechanism for controlling the operation of apparatus, such as cleaning apparatus, by means of which various operations to be performed therein may be controlled from a central point.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved control mechanism for cleaning apparatus by means of which the motor which operates the rotatable goods container may be reversed during the washing and drying operations, neutralized, and then operated unidirectionally at a high rate of speed during the extracting operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved control mechanism for cleaning apparatus by means of which the moving parts of the driving mechanism must be brought to a complete rest before the control mechanism is moved from the washing or drying position to the extracting position or from the extracting position to the washing or drying position.

A further object of my invention is to provide means to operate a signal when the drying operation is complete, whereby the deodorizing valves may be manually or automatically operated.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby the motor and other parts of the apparatus may be controlled from a central point in conformity with the operation which is being performed in the system.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a portion of a dry cleaning system;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fi 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the system taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; a

' Fig. 4 is a fragmental plan view of the motor, connecting gears and zero speed switch, the cover of the transmission being removed and the transmission gears being shown in cross section;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the control drum showing means for supplying current to the motors, solenoids and signals during the various operations of the system;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the brake taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 'l is a cross sectional view of the control drum on the line l! of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of zero speed control switch, the cover being removed; and

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 98 of Fig. 8.

As illustrated in the drawings, the cleaning system includes a washer I containing the usual rotatable work-container 2. A detergent or cleaning solvent, such as carbon tetrachloride, is supplied to the system through a conduit 3 which leads from a suitable storage tank. Following the washing operation, the solvent is drained from the washer to a sump tank 4 through a conduit 5 which is controlled by a valve 6.

After the solvent has been extracted from the fabric, air is circulated through a drying circuit, including a condenser 1, a fan 8 and a heater 9. The condenser I and heater 9 are connected to the casing I by means of conduits l and H, respectively. During the drying operation the condensate .flows through the conduit l3 into the sump tank 4 and after the fabric has been dried, the valve I4 is opened and valve I is rotated to its dotted line position, whereby the conduit l6 between the fan and the heater is closed and the conduit l 8 is opened to the atmosphere. Airfrom the atmosphere is then passed through open valve l4, treating vessel I, condenser I and discharged to the atmosphere through conduit I8. The valves l4 and i5 are normally maintained in closed position by means of a spring l8a and may be simultaneously operated to open position either manually or automatically as will be later described. The dried and deodorized fabric may then be removed from the treating vessel.

lhe rotatable work-container is operated by a motor it, see Figs. 3 and 4, which is connected to the drive shaft 20 through transmission 2|. As

illustrated in the drawings, see Fig. 4, a gear 23 on motor shaft 24 is connected to a gear 25 on transmission shaft 26 by means of a chain 21. Fixed to the shaft 26 is a pinion 28 and rotatably mounted upon annular bearings 29 is a gear 36. The bearings 29 are seated in a reduced portion 3| of the shaft 26 and are held in position by means of a shoulder 33, nut 34 on the end of shaft 26, and a collar 35 interposed between the two bearing rings. A ring 35a seated in an annular groove formed in the interior of the gear hub prevents the gear from slipping off the shaft. One end of the hub 36 of gear 36 is extended to form a shaft 31 and the other end is broken away to form a jaw 38.

slidably mounted on the shaft 26 is a clutch member 39 which supports a shifting ring 46. One end of clutch member 39 is provided with a jaw 4| which engages jaw 38 to form a clutch when the operating block is forced to the right, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

In addition to the shaft 26, the transmission includes a shaft 42 which is supported in suitable bearings 43 and 44. slidably mounted on the shaft 42 is a hub 45 having a gear 46 at one end and a pinion 41 at the other end. The hub 45 is provided with an annular grooved projection 48 which supports a shifting ring 49. Rings 46 and 49 are connected together by means of an apertured yoke 56 having an upwardly extending tubular member 5|a which surrounds 'and is locked to a vertically extending shaft 5| by means of a pin 5|b. The shaft 5! is rotatably mounted in the lower portion of easing 2| and extends through an aperture in the upper portion of the casing. When shaft 5| is rotated in an anticlockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 4,'gear 46 is moved out of mesh with pinion 28, pinion 41 is moved out of mesh with gear 36,- and the clutch member 39 is shifted to the right. The transmission will then be in neutral position. Upon further movement of shaft 5| in an anticlockwise direction, gear 46 and pinion 41 are shifted further to the left and jaw 4| is forced into engagement with jaw 38.

A gear 52 is attached to shaft 31 and serves to transmit power to the drive shaft 26 through a chain 54 which engages a gear 56 that is aflixed to one end of a hub 51, the other end of hub 51 being provided with an outwardly extending flange 58. The hub 51 fits over a collar 59 that is keyed to the shaft 26. Collar 59 is also provided with an outwardly extending flange 66 spaced inwardly from the outer end of the collar which is parallel with flange 58. A ring 6| slidably engages the outer margin of collar 59 and annular friction bands 63 are interposed between flanges 58 and 66 and between flange 66 and collar 6|. Thehub 51 is secured to collar 59 by bolts 65 which pass through flange 58, ring 6|, spring coils 66 and are provided with adjustable nuts 61. The spring coils serve to compress friction bands 63 suiliciently to maintain hub 51 in fixed engagement with collar 59 and power is therefore transmitted from the gear 56 through the friction coupling to drive shaft 26.

As illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the transmission is from motor l9 through chain 21, shaft 26, pinion 28, gear 46, pinion 41, gear 36, shaft 31, gear 52, chain 54, gear 56 and through the associated friction coupling to drive shaft 26. When jaw 4| is in meshing engagement with the jaw 38, the transmission is directly through shafts 26 and 31, and the friction coupling to shaft 26.

Afilxed to shaft 5|, see Fig. 2, is a lever 6|c which is provided with an aperured block 66 through which a rod 69 extends. The rod 69 is connected to one end of a spring 16, the other end of the spring being connected to athreaded rod or bolt 12 which extends through an aperture in an upwardly extending bracket 1| rigidly mounted on the transmission casing. A nut 12a threaded on rod 12 serves to adjust the tension of spring 16. A coupling 13 is provided at one end of rod 69 which permits limited movement of the rod through the aperture in block 66 but prevents cable 14, which is attached to the other end of the coupling, from being drawn through the aperture in block 68. The rod 69 is threaded at one end and is provided with adjustable nuts 18 which form a seat for a spring 19 which is interposed between nuts 16 and the block 66. The tension of spring 19 may be regulated by adjusting nuts 18. Assuming that the transmission is in neutral position and that the tension cable 14 has been released, if gear 46 and pinion 28 and pinion 41 and gear 36 are in proper position for meshing, the action of the spring 16 upon coupling 13 is sufllcient to rotate lever 5|c to the left as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and shaft 5| in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 4 and the gears will be shifted into mesh. If the gears, however, happened to engage tooth to tooth, energization of motor |9 will advance pinion 28 to the proper position so that the spring 16 under tension will force gear 46 into mesh with pinion 26 and as pinion 41 is advanced spring 16 will force it into meshing engagement with gear 36.

The cable 14 is guided by an idler pulley 66 into engagement with a pulley 6|, the free end of cable 14 being connected to a bracket 62 which is integral with pulley 8|. Pulley 6| is rigidly attached to control shaft 84 which is operated by a lever or handle 61 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The lever 81 is provided with a pointer 68 and is adapted to move over a dial 89 at different points upon which are symbols indicating the various operations which are to be performed in the system. Dial 69 is provided with a series of apertures 69:: which are adapted to receive a stud89b attached to one end of a lever 890 which is plvotally mounted at the point 89d on the main lever 61. A spring 69e normally maintains the stud 89b in one of the notches 89a. When pressure is applied to the opposite end of lever 89c, stud 69b is withdrawn from the aperture and lever 61 may be moved to the desired position.

Shaft 84 is connected to an adjustable control device 96 by means of couplings 9| and 92. Control device 96 includes a drum 96a formed of insulating material on the periphery of which are mounted a plurality of conducting segments 96b, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and '1 of the drawings and diagrammatically in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5 the segments are electrically connected together by means of conductors in a predetermined manner.

Arranged in a housing 93 which surrounds control device 96 is a metal strip 94, see Figs. 2 and 7. which is supported by means of a bracket 96. An insulating plate 96 formed of rubber or other electrical insulating material is attached to metal strip 94. Supported upon the insulating plate 96 are three pairs of metal leads 96a which are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy as indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A pair of metal contacts 91 extend downwardly from each pair oi leads and are positioned to engage the various metallic segments 98b during the rotation of drum "(1. As drum 88a is rotated various circuits are accordingly. established, depending upon the relation of the various segments with the contacts, which control the operating parts of the apparatus as will be hereafter more fully described.

When the pointer 88 of lever 81 is moved to the wash or dry position as shown by the indicating dial in Fig. 1, current is supplied to the motor and part of the slack on cable I4 is taken up. If the gears are not in mesh, the operation of shaft 26 rotates gear 28 to the proper position so that spring 18 will 'force the gears into meshing relationship.

When the pointer 88 of the lever 81 is moved to the neutral position, all of the slack has been taken up in cable I4 and rod 68 has been drawn to the right a certain distance so thatthe nut 18 on the rod 69 through the spring 19, Fig. 2, forces lever 61 to the right thus rotating shaft 5| in an anti-clockwise direction, Fig. 4, which shifts gear 46 out of mesh with pinion 28 and pinion 41 out of mesh with gear 38; consequently, no power will be transmitted from the motor I8 to the drive shaft 28. When the lever is turned to move the pointer to the extracting position, the cable I4 and the rod 68 which is attached to coupling I3 is further moved to the right, and through the spring I8, the lever 6I'c is further moved to the right rotating the shaft 5| farther in an anti-clockwise direction which forces jaw 4| on block 39 into engagement with jaw 38 on hub 36. The spring I8 is strong enough to perform this shifting operation under normal conditions without any substantial compression. If, however, the jaw members engage tooth to tooth the spring I8 compresses and permits continued movement of the lever 81 to the extracting position whereupon the motor I9 is energized advancing the clutch 38 sufilciently to properly register the jaws thereon between the jaws on hub 36 and the stored energy in the compressed spring 19 completes the meshing engagement.

The drive shaft 28 is supported by bearings 88 mounted upon frame 88. A brake mechanism for shaft 28 is also supported on frame 88. The brake mechanism is of the usual type and comprises a drum I88 which is keyed to drive shaft 28 as indicated by the numeral IN. A brake band I82 adjustably anchored in bracket I83 of the drum frame is held in braking engagement with drum IN by the action of spring I85. As illustrated in the drawings, a bracket I86 extends upwardly from the drum frame to which a bell crank I81 is pivotally attached. One arm of the bell crank is pivotally attached to a lever I88, thereby forming a toggle link, the other end of lever I88 being pivotally attached to one end of the brake band at the point I88a. The spring I is coiled around a rod I88 which is attached at one end to the pivot pin connecting bellcrank.

I8I to lever I88 and extends through an aperture in a boss I86a on bracket I86 and is provided with an adjustable nut I89q. at its opposite end. The spring I85 bearing against the nut I880. normally maintains the brake in operative position. The other arm of the bell crank lever I81, however, is pivotally attached to the armature II8 of a solenoid 80.. When solenoid IIIla is energized armature II 8 is forced downwardly, the toggle link is forced inwardly against the action of the spring I85 and the brake is released. Spring I85a is provided to produce a quick sep aration of the ends of the band when the brake is released.

Shaft 24 of motor I8 is also provided. with a gear III which is connected with a gear In on the shaft H2 of a zero speed switch II3. Switch H3 which is illustrated more particularly in Figs.

8 and 9 of the drawings, is enclosed in a casing II 4 and includes a disk II6 which is pinned to shaft H2, and a disk II6 which is rotatably mounted upon the shaft. Supported upon disk H6 is an arm H8 formed of electrical insulating material which carries two sets of electrical contacts H8 and I28. An electrical insulating plate I22 supported by a bracket I23 which is fastened to the casing II4 also carries a pair of contacts I24 located opposite contacts I I8 and a pair of contacts I25 "which are located opposite contacts I28. The arm H8 is attached to disk II6 by means of screws passing through a metal strip I28 which extends beyond both sides of the insulating arm and forms an anchor for a pair of springs I28 and I29. When shaft H2. is rotated the friction between the disks H5 and I I6 moves contacts II9 into engagement with contacts I24 or contacts I28 into engagement with contacts I25 according to the direction of rotation of shaft II2, thereby establishing an electric 'circult. When the shaft is at rest, however, spring I28 or spring I29 separate the contacts and break the circuit. I

' Pulley 82 is provided with a block I32 to which a boss I33 having a slot I34 therein is affixed. A latch I35 having an arm I39 is pivoted to the control drum casing 93 and when shaft 84 is rotated to neutral position slot I34 is in alignment with latch I35. The latch I35 is normally held out of engagement with slot I34 by means of a weight I36 on the arm I39 which is held in the proper position by means of a spring I31 coiled around rod I38 one end of which is sup.- ported by nuts I380. threaded on the rod. The rod I38 extends through an aperture in the arm I39, and is attached to the armature I48 of a solenoid I. When contacts II8 engage contacts I24 or contacts I28 engage contacts I25 as previously specified, an electric circuit is estabhshed through solenoid I 4| which raises the armature I48 and forces the latch I35 into the slot I34 thereby preventing further rotation of shaft 84 until the contact inthe zero speed switch is broken and solenoid I 4| is deenergized at which time weight I36 releases latch I35.

Means are also provided for indicating when the drying operation is complete. As illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the conduit I3 is provided with a chamber I3a. Pivotally mounted upon a rod I3b in chamber I3a is a lever I3c having a bucket I43 at one end and a weight I44 at the other end. The bottom of the'bucket is provided with a small aperture I43a. During the drying operation the condensate flows through the conduit I3 into the bucket I43 accumulating therein faster than it can flow through the aperture 143a. When the bucket is full or partially full with liquid, the weight I44 is raised out of engagement with the contacts. When the fabric in the washer is dried, however, the flow of condensate ceases and the liquid flows out of the bucket. The weight I44 which is heavier than the empty bucket then falls into engagement with contacts I45 thereby closing an electrical circuit. A motor I46 operates the fan 8 during the drying operation and the system is provided with suitable vent pipes I4'I. A door I48 is also provided to introduce the fabric into the washer.

The operation of the system will become apparent from a description of the control device and the circuits shown in Fig. of the drawings. Fabric is placed in the washer, lever 81 is set so that pointer 88 is at the stop position indicated on the dial 89 of Fig. 1, line switch I58 is closed, and if the transmission gears are in neutral and in proper position for meshing, spring 18 forces gear 48 and pinion 41 in mesh with pinion 28 and gear 38, respectively.

The lever 81 is then rotated to move pointer 88 to the wash position, which rotates insulating drum 98d in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings looking at the control drum from the left or to the right as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5 of the drawings, moving segment I5I into engagement with terminal I52 and segments I53 and I54 into engagement with terminals I55 and I58. A circuit is thus established from line Ll through conductor I51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I58, segment I53, terminal I55, conductors I59 and I88, switch I 8| conductor I82, coil I83 and conductors I18 and I84 to line L3. The energization of coil I83 closes switch I83a and current is supplied to the motor I9 through conductors I85, I88 and I81 from lines L2, L1 and L3.

A circuit is also established from line L1 to conductor I 51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I58, segment I53, conductor I 18, segment I54, terminal I58, conductor I1I, solenoid H811 and conductor I13 to line La. Energization of coil IIOa draws armature II8 downwardly releasing the brake on shaft 28. It will be noted that a circuit is also established from terminal I15 to motor I18 and conductors I11, I18 and I84 to line L3.

Motor I18 drives a cam shaft I88 which is provided with cams I8I and I82 which alternately closes switch I8I and switch I83. These switches are normally maintained in openposition by any suitable means, such as springs (not shown). As illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, switch I8I is closed and switch I83 is open. When switch I 83 is closed and switch I8I is open, the current passes through switch I83, conductor I84, coil I85 and conductor I84 to the line L3. Coil I85 is therefore energized which closes switch I 88 and current is supplied to the motor I9 through conductors I85, I88 and I81 from lines L1, L2 and La and, consequently, the motor I9 will be rotated in a reverse direction.

After the dirt and grease have been removed from the fabric by the cleaning medium, which is preferably carbon tetrachloride, valve 8 is opened and lever 81 is rotated to neutral position, thereby rotating the shaft 84 and pulley 82 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of pulley 82 pulls the cable 14 forwardly and nut 18 forces spring 19 into engagement with lever block 88 which shifts the gears out of mesh. The rotation of pulley 8I also brings the notch or recess I34 on boss I33 in a position opposite latch I35.

When the control lever is in the neutral position, segment I5I is in contact with terminal I52, segment I98 is in contact with terminal I 9| and segment I92 is in contact with terminal I 93. A circuit is thus established from line L1 through conductor I51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I95, segment I 98, terminal I 9|, conductor I93, switch II3, conductor I98, solenoid I4I, conductor I13 to line L3. Energization of solenoid I4I raises armature I48 and forces the latch 35 into recess I 34, thereby preventing operation of lever 81 until the driving parts come to complete rest. A circuit is also established through conductor I81 which is in parallel with coil I so that as long as the driving parts are moving the light I91a is illuminated indicating that the apparatus is still in motion. It will be noted that during this period the brakesolenoid I I8a is deenergized and the brake is applied.

A circuit is also established from line L1 through conductor I51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I58, segment I53, conductor I 18, segment I54, conductor 283, segment I92, terminal I93, conductor I91, coil I98 and conductors I99 and I 84 to line Ls. Coil I98 is thus energized which closes switch 288, thereby supplying current to motor I48 which operates fan 8.

When the moving parts have come to rest, spring I28 or spring I29 breaks the circuit in switch II3 depending upon the direction of rotation of motor I9, thereby deenergizing coil Ill and extinguishing light I91a. When coil MI is deenergized, armature I48 drops and the weight I38 draws the latch I35 from the recess I34 and the lever 81 may be again rotated.

The lever 81 is then rotated to move pointer 88 to the extracting position, and as the cable 14 is drawn around pulley 82, sufficient pressure is exerted upon block 88 to shift jaw M of clutch member 39 into meshing engagement with jaw 38 of gear hub 38 and power from the motor I9 is transmitted directly through shaft 28, chain 54 and its associated friction coupling to drive shaft 28.

The rotation of lever '81 to the extracting position moves the drum in a clockwise direction or further to the right, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5, moving segment 288 into engagement with terminal 28I, segment 282 into engagement with terminal I58 and segment I5I still remains in engagement with terminal I52. A circuit is thus established from the line through conductor I51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I95, segment I98, conductor-I98a. segment 288, terminal 28I, conductor 284, coil I83 and conductor I84 to line L3. The coil I83 is energized and current is supplied to the motor from lines L1, L2 and In to conductors I88, I85 and I81 which operates the motor. It will be noted that no current is supplied to motor I 18 so that the rotation of motor I9 will be unidirectional. Since power is transmitted directly through the shaft 28, gear 58 and its associated friction coupling to drive shaft 28, the speed of the rotating drum will be much greater during the extraction operation than during the washing operation.

During the extraction operation, a circuit is also established from line L1, through conductor I51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I58, segment I53, conductor I18, segment I54, conductor 283, segment I92. conductor I92a, segment 282, terminal I58, conductor I1I, solenoid HM and conductors I 13 and I84 to line L3. The solenoid controlling the brake is therefore energized and the brake is released.

After the extraction operation is completed the valve 8 is closed, the lever is rotated back to neutral and the moving parts are brought gradually to rest. The lever is then moved in an anticlockwise direction to the drying position sufficient slack being provided in the cable in this position to permit spring 18 to shift the gears into mesh in the manner previously specified.

The same circuits are established during the drying operation as in the washing operation. In addition, a circuit is established from line I 51, terminal I52, segment I5I, conductor I58, segment I", conductor III, segment ill, conductor 222, segment L02, terminal III, conductor I81, coil ill to line In. The energization of coil Ill closes switch 2" which supplies current to the fan motor I" through conductors 201, 208 and 2", and to resistor 22! through conductors 2M and 2.

When the drying operation is complete and the weight I bridges contacts Ill and 5a, and bimetallic conductor 2" is heated sufilciently to close switch 2|, a circuit is. established from terminal 2i; through conductor 2, a light 2", terminal Illa, weight I, terminal I, switch 21!, bimetallic conductor 2|! and conductor 2H) to terminal M2. The light 2i acts as a signal to indicate that the drying operation is complete. A circuit comprising a conductor 220 and solenoid 22l is also provided in parallel with the light. When solenoid 22l is energized, see Fig. 1, it draws armature 222 downwardly, thereby actuating crank 222 which moves levers 224, 225, 226 and 221 to the dotted line position. Valve I4 is thereby opened to the atmosphere and valve I5 is forced downwardly into the dotted line position closing the conduit between the fan and the heater and opening the conduit II to the atmosphere.

The bimetallic conductor is provided to prevent the operation of the levers before the drying operation commences. It will be noted that when the switch 206 is first turned on, the light 211 and coil 2 will not be energized. A resistor 230 however will be heated which in turn heats the bimetallic conductor 2l5 closing the switch 2i. When switch 2 is closed, however, the drying operation is in progress and the liquid in bucket I42 prevents energization of solenoid 22l until the drying operation is completed.

After the fabric has been dried and deodorized, the lever 81 is moved first to the stop position and then to the unload position. When the lever 81 is moved to'the unload position, a circuit is established from line L1 through conductors I51, terminal I52, segment 2, conductor 232, segment 223, terminal in, conductor I91, coil I98 and conductor I" to line L3. The energization of coil Ill closes switch 206 and a current is supplied to the fan motor. All other circuits are open.

From the foregoing specification it will be apparent that I have provided an improved control mechanism, whereby all operations in the machine may be controlled by a single lever.

It will also be seen that between the washing and extracting operations and between the extracting and drying operations it is necessary that all moving parts except the fan be brought to rest, at which time the breaking of the light circuit indicates that it is safe to operate the lever to the desired position. The system may therefore be operated in a manner which is conducive to safety.

By providing improved signal means and automatic lever operating devices it will also be apparent that the system may be readily operated from an accessible position and that the danger of operating improper controls will be minimized.

It will also be seen that I have provide improved means for shifting the transmission gears to neutral position or to the desired position for washing, drying or extraction.

To those skilled in the art many modifications and widely different embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosure and description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the class described and having a rotatable work-container, driving motor means therefor, transmission means effective to provide operation of said container by said motor means at different speeds, motor control means for said motor means arranged to provide for its operation either unidirectional or with periodic reversals, and control means connected with said transmission means and with said motor control means and thereby interconnecting the latter, and adapted to be set by the operator to provide either low speed operation of said container with periodic reversal thereof, or high speed unidirectional operation thereof.

2. Apparatus of the class described and having a rotatable work-container with a front loading and. unloading opening, driving means for said container located rearward thereof and including motor means, motor control means, transmission means, and transmission control means, and operator-operated control means interconmeeting said motor control means and said transmission control means and having a single handle for its setting by the operator, located adjacent said container opening.

3. A fabric cleaning apparatus comprising a treating vessel having a rotatable work container, a drive shaft for said container, electrically operated means for driving said shaft, an adjustable control device, a source of electrical energy, means for supplying current from the source of electrical energy to the electrically operated means to alternately rotate the work container in reverse directions when the control device is in one position, and means for supplying current from said source to the electrically operated means to rotate the drive shaft unidirectionally when the control device is in a second position.

4. A fabric cleaning apparatus comprising a treating vessel having a rotatable work container, a drive shaft for said container, electrically operated means for driving said shaft, an adjustable control device, a shaft for rotating the control device, a handle connected to the shaft of the control device, a source of electrical energy for supplying current to the electrically operated means to alternately rotate the work container in reverse directions when the control device is in one position, said control device serving to disconnect the supply of current to the electrically operated means when the handle is moved to set the control device to a different position and to supply current to the electrically operated means to rotate the shaft in one direction when said handle is moved to set the control device to a third position.

5. A fabric cleaning apparatus comprising a treating vessel having a rotatable work container, a drive shaft for said container, electrically operated means for driving said shaft, a brake for said drive shaft, electrically operated means for releasing said brake, an adjustable control device, a source of electrical energy for supplying current to the drive shaft operating means and the brake releasing means when the control device is in a predetermined position to release the brake and operate the drive shaft in one direction, and means whereby current may be supplied to the brake releasing means and the drive shaft operating means to operate the drive shaft with periodic reversals thereof when the control device is moved to a different position.

6. A fabric cleaning apparatus comprising a treating vessel having a work container, a drive shaft for said container, electrically operated means for driving said shaft, an adjustable control device, a brake for said drive shaft, means for applying the brake to the shaft, electrically operated means for releasing said brake, a source of electrical energy for supplying current to the drive shaft operating means and to the brake releasing means when the control device is in a predetermined. position, the supply of current to the motor and the brake releasing means being disconnected when the control device is moved to a second position, whereby the brake is applied to said shaft, and means associated with said shaft-driving means and being effective during the driving of the shaft for preventing the movement of said control device until the driving means is at rest.

7. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a driving shaft, means for driving said shaft, control means for said shaft-driving means, a source of power supply for said shaft-driving means and said control means, an adjustable control device operatively associated with the source of power and with said shaft-driving means and control means and adapted to be set to provide high speed operation of said shaft in alternately reverse directions or high speed unidirectional operation thereof.

8.- Apparatus of the class described, comprising a driving shaft, means for driving saidshaft, a source of power for said shaft-driving means, a transmission, an adjustable control device connected to said shaft driving means, said transmission and said source of power, said control device being adapted to be set in one position to supply power to said shaft-driving means and to provide low speed operation of said shaft, and to be set in a second position to supply power to said shaft-driving means and provide high speed operation of said shaft.

9. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a driving shaft, means for driving said shaft including a transmission, an adjustable control device connected to said transmission and said shaft-driving means, spring means associated with said control device and said transmission for shifting said transmission to provide low speed operation of said shaft when said control device is set in one position, and a second spring means associated with said control device and said transmission for shifting said transmission to provide high speed operation of said shaft when. said control device is set in a different position.

10. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a driving shaft, an adjustable control device, means for driving said shaft, means associated with said control device and the shaft-driving means when the control device is in a predetermined position, whereby said shaft is driven in alternately reverse directions, means associated with said control device and the shaft-driving means whereby said shaft is driven unidirectionally when the control device is set in a second position, and means associated with said shaft-driving means and being effective during the driving of said shaft for preventing the movement of the control device from the first position to the second position until said driving means has been brought to rest.

11. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a driving shaft, an'adjustable control device, motor means for driving said shaft, motor control means associated with said control device, and said motor means when the control device is in a predetermined position, whereby said shaft is driven in alternately reverse directions, means whereby said control device may be set in a second position, means associated with said control device and said motor means whereby said shaft is driven unidirectionally when said control device is set in the second position, and means associated with said motor andbeing effective during its operation for preventing movement of said control device from the first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position until said motor means is brought to rest.

12. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a treating vessel having a rotatable work container provided with a loading and unloading opening, a drive shaft for said container, braking means for said shaft, an adjustable control device, means for driving said shaft when the control device is in a predetermined position, a shaft for said control device, and a handlelocated adjacent the front of the treating vessel by means of whichlthe shaft of the control device may be moved to a second position which renders the driving means for the shaft inoperative, and means for applying said braking means when the control device is in the second position.

13. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a treating vessel having an outer casing and an inner work container provided with a front loading and unloading opening, driving motor.

means for rotating said work container, a drying circuit connected to said treating vessel including a condenser and air-moving means, motor means 1 independent of the motor-driving means for said container for driving said air-moving means, an adjustable control device operatively associated with the driving means for said air-moving means and for the driving means for said container and having a handle located adjacent said opening for setting said control device to provide simultaneous operation of the motor means for said container and for said air-moving means or to provide selective operation of either of said motor driving means.

14. A fabric-cleaning apparatus, comprising a treating vessel for fabric which has been treated with a volatile solvent, said vessel having an outer casing and an inner work container, a drying circuit connected to said treating vessel including a fan for moving air through said circuit to dry the fabric in said treating vessel, a condenser for vapors carried by the air, conduit -means leading from said condenser through 

